SA must intensify its efforts to build high-end skills
18-NOV-08
By Nthambeleni Gabara
South Africa should intensify its efforts to build high-end skills to translate research findings into economic outcomes, says Science and Technology Minister Mosibudi Mangena.
Addressing engineers and scientists attending the 2nd Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Biennial Conference, Mr Mangena said there was a crucial need to build the human capital required for a knowledge-based economy.
“It is vital for every researcher, research group and specialist to commit fully to human capital development.”
He said sustainable development also required behavioural changes, innovations in governance and the introduction of new economic tools and approaches.
In this regard, the minister said government has recently finalised a Science, Engineering and Technology Human Capital Strategy to intensify its efforts to build-end skills in the country.
He further said his department was finalising a number of other key polices geared towards playing a vital role in shaping the country’s economy.
“The process of integrating these policy developments into the National System of Innovation has also begun, but they need to be more effectively woven into the operations and priorities of our agencies such as the CSIR,” he said.
According to the minister, key among these policies is the Ten-Year Innovation Plan. Other government policies include the National Industrial Policy Framework and the National Framework for Sustainable Development.
Collectively, the policies are aimed at making the South African economy more diversified, labour absorbing, export-oriented, high growth, low carbon sustainable and knowledge based.
“Achieving this in the face of global economic uncertainty will require the active involvement of all economic players such as science, technology and innovation communities.
“We should constantly look for ways to enable our National System of Innovation to manage such challenges and contradictions effectively, and to deliver on policy requirements,” he said, adding that the conference will provide a platform for doing so.
The minister said there was a need to strengthen science, technology and innovation within the framework of a developmental state.
He said a clear area of market failure was investment in research and development, particularly investments with long-term returns or where the risks are high.
“In the past few years, there have been significant increases in public sector expenditure on research and development.
“However, there is a concern that South Africa is not getting adequate returns for this investment.”
He also reiterated the establishment of the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) in the near future.
Linked to TIA is the concept of Centres of Competence, which are important instruments for bringing together the expertise and capacity within the National System of Innovation and for facilitating the work, required to put products and services on the market.
The minister said South Africans should work on becoming leaders in other areas such as alternative energy and waste management.
CSIR President and Chief Executive Officer, Sibusiso Sibisi said scientific research is not just conducted for the development of the science knowledge base, but it can and will continue to make a constructive difference to the upliftment of society.
“We welcome the opportunity to showcase our real and relevant research outcomes and interact with those of you who share this objective with us,” he said.
- BuaNews
